Malibu is on fire, yet again.
Blaze near Malibu destroys dozens of homes.
MALIBU, Calif. - A wildfire driven by the dry, seasonal Santa Ana wind destroyed dozens of expensive homes as it raced through the canyons and hills above Malibu on Saturday, forcing hundreds of residents to flee.

One firefighter was slightly injured, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. Fire officials estimated about 35 homes were destroyed but the exact number wasn't known.

The blaze, feeding on brush and trees, began shortly before 3:30 a.m. PT near Malibu Lake on state park land and had charred roughly 2,200 acres by late morning, said Los Angeles County fire Capt. Mike Brown.
TV images showed flames consuming large homes in the area of expensive real estate. One home believed to be lost was valued at more than $2 million.

The cause of the fire had not been determined. About 500 firefighters were at work on the blaze, aided by 10 water-dropping helicopters, but had not contained any part of it by midmorning. "We're at the mercy of the winds right now," Brown said.

Wall of smoke
An enormous wall of smoke rose up over the hills and canyons. The blaze was blowing downhill toward the Pacific Ocean. It jumped the Pacific Coast Highway, the main thoroughfare along the coast, spreading small spot fires.

Roughly 500 homes in three separate communities were evacuated and residents were told to gather at a local high school.

Meredith Lobel-Angel, 51, and her husband Frank Angel, 54, said they had 15 minutes to leave their split-level home and managed to take little other than some clothes and their laptops.

"I ran out on the deck and I just saw a little fire and smoke up the canyon on the ridge (about a mile away)," Frank Angel said. "By the time we evacuated it was already over the ridge. It spread faster than I've ever seen it."

Love and prayers go out to everyone in Malibu. I have been there many many times, it is a beautiful place to be, there are not only rich, snobby, celebrities there...Malibu is home of many kind friendly folk, not to speak of, beautiful Pepperdine University, my niece's alma mater.

PaisleyPark5083 said:

Yeah! I'm from Malibu, and while I did run into the likes of Cher & Sting on a regular basis, I lived in a very modest home & consider myself friendly folk .

Honestly, I used to find the fires exciting as a kid. Evacuating was fun, but I didn't understand the destruction, even when the fire burned right across the street.

Now I realize it's not just the trees, not just the homes, but it's the habitat for all those animals.
[Edited 11/24/07 12:25pm]

Everyone should read The Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle to get a great glimpse into that area & this subject matter, but also a universal glimpse into human nature.

I saw a segment about forest fires in the US on CBS 60 minutes, it was truly horrible to learn how it's changed over the past 15 years or so. It's not likely to get any better either.

Does the news tell whether it was an actual firefighter or a convict that got hurt?

Has anyone heard from Malibu Barbie???? I mean, she's made of plastic!!!

Fauxie said:

Melted!


on a serious note, lots of homes lost this round! Arson is suspected!

What the hell! again!! somebody needs to have their ass beat to set an example for the rest of the idiots out there.

Oh wow, I was out of town this weekend and did not know these fires started up again
Hope everyone in that area is doing ok

Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) lost his crib in the fire.

UPDATE-

A total of 53 homes were burned down, and 4,900 acres were burned. The fire is now 90% contained.
My prayers go out to those affected.

PaisleyPark5083 said:

how sad

I just read on CNN.com that they suspect or think the fire may have been started by some people "parting" in the woods.

"A campfire set by people "partying" in the woods may have started a huge wildfire that destroyed dozens of homes near Malibu, California, on Saturday.

Two fire investigators told CNN on Sunday the blaze may have originated at a campfire set at the end of a dirt road, where investigators have determined the 4,720-acre Corral Canyon fire began."